Robinson International Studies Award

The Robinson International Studies Award was established to assist students who want to complete an International Education Experience at the Christian Medical College in Vellore, India. Students from the School of Health Professions are eligible to apply for a scholarship to complete an elective rotation during the summer, and School of Medicine and School of Nursing students can apply for an International Elective Rotation that occurs during February of their 4th year

This award honors Dr. David W. Robinson and Dr. Mani M. Mani. Dr. Robinson's distinguished career at the University of Kansas Medical Center began in 1945 when he was appointed as an Assistant in Plastic Surgery. He went on to become an Associate in Plastic Surgery, 1946; Assistant Professor in the Department of Oncology and Head of Plastic Surgery, 1948; Associate Professor of Surgery and Oncology, 1950; Professor of Surgery and Oncology, 1955-1960; and in 1967 he was appointed as Lecturer, History of Medicine. Robinson was awarded the title of Distinguished Professor and appointed as director of the Gene and Barbara Burnett Burn Center in 1973, and from 1974-1979 served as Vice Chancellor for Clinical Affairs and Chief of Staff. From 1975-1976 he served as Acting Executive Vice Chancellor. In 1984 he became an Honorary Medical Alumnus, and in 1985 was appointed as University Distinguished Professor Emeritus. Dr. Robinson died in 2003.1

In 1961, Dr. Mani M. Mani was an aspiring young physician in India. While training under the renowned Dr. Paul Wilson Brand-a pioneer in leprosy surgery-Dr. Mani crossed paths with Dr. David Robinson. That fateful meeting would set into motion decades of partnership and innovation.

"I got a letter from Dr. Robinson in 1968 urging me to come to the University of Kansas Medical Center. I completed a residency at KU and returned to India. I was named full professor and had every intention of staying in India," Dr. Mani said.

Instead, Dr. Robinson persuaded Dr. Mani to return to KUMC and in 1974 he became the Medical Director of the Gene and Barbara Burnett Burn Center. Dr. Mani began establishing burn care protocols, and in the years that followed, that burn protocol also became a standard of care in many parts of the United States and abroad, including Malaysia, Australia and Kyrgyzstan, and now India. He also played a pivotal role in American Burn Association's burn care education efforts around the world. Today, Dr. Mani is retired but remains active as an adviser to Robinson Scholars, among his other endeavors.